Website Broken Link Checker: Finding and Fixing Broken Links (Complete Guide)
Broken links hurt your SEO, frustrate users, and cost you revenue. In this guide, you’ll learn how to find and fix broken links like a pro—boosting rankings, improving user experience, and keeping your website in top shape.
Why Broken Links Are a Silent Website Killer
Broken links (404 errors) occur when a page no longer exists or is moved without proper redirection. Here’s why they’re dangerous:
✔ SEO Damage: Google penalizes sites with too many broken links, lowering rankings.
✔ Poor User Experience: Visitors leave when they hit dead-end pages.
✔ Lost Revenue: Broken checkout or lead-gen links mean lost sales.
Pro Tip: A single broken link can cost you up to 50% of potential conversions on a page!
How to Find Broken Links on Your Website
1. Use Free Online Broken Link Checker Tools
Here are the best free tools to scan your site:
Google Search Console (Under "Coverage" → "Excluded" pages)
Dead Link Checker (www.deadlinkchecker.com)
Screaming Frog SEO Spider (Free for small sites)
Ahrefs Broken Links Checker (Paid but powerful)
2. Manually Check Key Pages
Manually review:
High-traffic pages
Product pages
Contact & checkout pages
3. Set Up Automated Monitoring
Use tools like Siteimprove or Botify to get alerts for new broken links.
How to Fix Broken Links (3-Step Solution)
Step 1: Redirect Broken Links (301 Redirects)
If a page has moved, set up a 301 redirect to the new URL.
Example (Using .htaccess):
Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://yoursite.com/new-page
Step 2: Update or Remove Dead Links
If the page is gone forever, remove the link or replace it with a working one.
If it’s an external broken link, find an alternative source.
Step 3: Custom 404 Page (Keep Users Engaged)
A smart 404 page can turn a lost visitor into a lead.
Best Practices:
✔ Add a search bar
✔ Link to popular pages
✔ Use friendly, engaging copy
Pro Tips to Prevent Broken Links
✅ Regular Audits: Check for broken links monthly.
✅ Use Rel=Canonical: Avoid duplicate content issues.
✅ Monitor External Links: Third-party sites change URLs often.
Final Thoughts: Fix Broken Links & Boost SEO
Broken links are an easy fix with a big payoff—better rankings, happier users, and more sales. Start scanning your site today and keep your links healthy!
🚀 Ready to Improve Your Site? Use Screaming Frog or Ahrefs for a deep scan now!
FAQs
Q: How often should I check for broken links?
A: At least once a month for small sites, weekly for large eCommerce sites.
Q: Do broken links affect Google rankings?
A: Yes! Google considers them a poor user experience signal.
Q: What’s the fastest way to fix multiple broken links?
A: Use bulk redirects via your CMS or .htaccess file.
📌 Liked This Guide? Share It & Help Others Fix Their Broken Links Too!